Quick Hit Band Interview: Fell Runner

Fell Runner at The Echo

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how the band formed? We formed at CalArts while we were studying music. It started out as a bit of an experiment in incorporating some of the ideas we were inspired by from Ghanian Ewe music. It has blossomed from there into a band where any influence and direction feels like fair game. That's what keeps it interesting to us.

For the band and its future, how would you define success? It feels like a success to be playing music with friends for people that want to hear it, so the more of that the better.

Two Sundays/Two Members of Feels along with friends

I've followed Feels for a number of years now. Way back when they were called Raw Geronimo. That probably makes me a super fan compared to others. Yet, to be honest, over the last year, I've seen solo sets by the members of Feels more than I've seen the band as a whole. That trends continued recently. On the final Sunday of 2018 and the first Sunday of 2019, I caught members of Feels, Shannon Lay and Laena Geronimo, doing solo sets.

Shannon Lay

Shannon Lay was at Zebulon for the final Sunday of 2018 and Laena Geronimo was at The Echo for the first Sunday of 2019. If one goes to their solo sets to get a different take on the psychedelic rock of Feels, one would be disappointed. Instead, both bring thoughtful singer-songwriter sets. Shannon's set definitely has vibes of ancient elves. Laena found joy in finishing complicated guitar chords.

Laena Geronimo

Earth Girl Helen Brown

Closing at Zebulon on that final Sunday was Earth Girl Helen Brown. Shannon Lay also joined in with the backing band.

Anna St Louis

Justin Sullivan

At The Echo, Anna St Louis and Justin Sullivan brought lovely solo sets. Anna St Louis and her music was so memorizing that it almost felt wrong to disturb the music in anyway. The crowd was equally attentive to Justin Sullivan. Who responded, "You're so quiet. Not like other venues I've played at where anything goes."

Fell Runner

Fell Runner and Red Channel changed things up to close out the night at The Echo. Fell Runner sounded like Arnold Schoenberg had decided to turn his music into rock sounds. Their sound was just fascinating in its sophistication. Red Channel ended the night with a quick 20 minute set, bringing two synths into a dancing mode to send folks home.

Red Channel